Noose found inside the National Museum of African American History & Culture

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Noose found inside the National Museum of African American History & Culture

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A noose was found inside the National Museum of African American History & Culture Wednesday.

The noose was found inside the museum’s segregation section of the history galleries. U.S. Park Police closed the the exhibit and removed the the noose before reopening around 3:15 Wednesday evening.

Museum Director Lonnie Bunch released the following statement:

The noose has long represented a deplorable act of cowardice and depravity—a symbol of extreme violence for African Americans. Today’s incident is a painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face.

Our museum is a place of learning and solace, a place to remember, to reflect and engage in important discussions that help change America.

This was a horrible act, but it is a stark reminder of why our work is so important.